‘Bubble baby’ who could be killed by his parents’ kiss

‘Bubble baby’ who could be killed by his parents’ kiss
Last updated at 12:09pm on 30th October 2007

He is the heartbreakingly fragile baby who his adoring parents cannot even kiss – and when he reaches up to touch his mother’s face, she has to move away.

Little Logan Wilkieson is suffering from a rare genetic disorder which affects his immune system and means the slightest touch could lead to a serious infection.

His condition is so precarious that anyone who comes into contact with him has to scrub themselves thoroughly beforehand and if he throws anything out of his cot it has to be cleaned before he can touch it again.

Even clothes have to be washed at the hospital with special washing powder to prevent Logan reacting to them.

The little boy was diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency, more commonly known as baby bubble disease just three weeks ago. It affects one in 100,000 babies.

At the moment the seven-month-old is being cared for in a special unit at Newcastle General Hospital while he waits for chemotherapy but even after that he faces gruelling stem cell transplant in a bid to beat the illness that is blighting his life.

His parents, 20-year-old Ruth Lawrie and Gareth Wilkieson, aged 22, have given up their home in Horwich, near Bolton, and moved nearer to the hospital to be with their son.

Miss Lawrie said: “When the doctor phoned us and told us the results of the blood tests we were devastated. “He was transferred from the Royal Bolton Hospital to Newcastle straight away and it has been very hard for the whole family.

“We can’t even kiss him because he could catch something. He likes to touch my face but he can’t do that either.

“He is still happy and giggling at the moment, but we know that he will get worse once the chemotherapy starts.

“We are just looking forward to him getting better and being able to take him home.”

Logan is on a course of antibiotics and steroids to help him battle infection.

His bone marrow is not functioning and he is very vulnerable to disease.

When he is fit enough, he will undergo a stem cell transplant through a blood transfusion which should make his bone marrow work properly.

A stem cell match from another baby has been found at the umbilical cord bank – a collection of cells extracted from the cords of healthy babies minutes after birth. Logan is expected to be in hospital for a minimum of five months.

Family friend Kim Walls said: “Ruth and Gareth are the bravest people I know. They have been so strong throughout this ordeal, I just don’t know how they are doing it.

“We feel helpless because we want to help, but there is very little we can do. We want to take him toys, but there are only certain things he is allowed.

“We pray every day that he will get better and look forward to him coming home.”

Friends and family are hoping to organise a charity event to raise awareness of Logan’s illness and money for the hospital and family.

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Sangamo BioSciences And Sigma-Aldrich Announce Nature Biotechnology Study Demonstrating Zinc Finger Technology For Modification Of Human Stem Cells

Sangamo BioSciences And Sigma-Aldrich Announce Nature Biotechnology Study Demonstrating Zinc Finger Technology For Modification Of Human Stem Cells 10/29/2007  Application of ZFN Technology in Stem Cells has Potential to Yield High Value Research Reagents and Therapeutic Products

St. Louis and Richmond, CA – Sigma-Aldrich Corporation and Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today the publication of data demonstrating the use of Sangamo’s ZFP Nucleases (ZFNs) for “gene-editing” in human stem cells. This work represents a significant advance in the ability to specifically and efficiently modify the human genome in stem cells potentially enabling the efficient generation of stem cell lines for use as models of human disease for medical research and for drug testing. In addition to its use in the generation of valuable research reagents, the technology has potential in the therapeutic application of stem cells.

The work, which was carried out in the laboratory of Luigi Naldini, M.D., Ph.D. at the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, Milan, Italy, in collaboration with Sangamo scientists, was published in Nature Biotechnology as an advance online publication.

“This is a significant advance for both research and the potential therapeutic use of stem cells,” stated Dr. Naldini, a senior author of the study. “Stem cells are the body’s natural resource for regeneration and repair and the ability to efficiently add a therapeutic gene into the genome of a cell at a predetermined location or to correct a mutated gene in a patient’s stem cells may enable us to provide a long term solution for many genetic diseases. The powerful combination of our highly efficient delivery platform and Sangamo’s ZFN technology made possible unprecedented gene modification efficiency in these therapeutically important cells”.

The data published in the Nature Biotechnology paper demonstrate that ZFN-mediated gene modification can be used to correct both mutations in the IL-2R gamma gene, the defective gene in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-linked SCID), and to add a therapeutic gene to a pre-determined ‘safe-harbor’ site in the genome of both human hematopoietic stem cells and human embryonic stem (ES) cells. This putative ‘safe-harbor site’ was selected by the investigators for its capacity to allow efficient expression of the therapeutic gene and to tolerate an insertion event without adverse effects.

“These data open new avenues for experimental biology, biotechnology and medicine,” said Philip Gregory, D.Phil., Sangamo’s vice president of research. “This year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine recognized the importance of gene targeting, or the site specific manipulation of the mouse genome, which has revolutionized biology and enabled the generation of mouse cell-lines and transgenic mouse models of human disease. However, until now and the development of our ZFN technology, genomes of other species such as humans and plants could not be efficiently modified in a site specific manner. Our ZFN technology enables the specific and targeted modification of any genome of potentially any species and may enable the development not only of potential therapeutics but also human cell lines and transgenic animals bedsides the mouse that may be valuable models of human disease for medical research and drug development.”

“This publication represents ground-breaking research in the use of ZFNs and stem cells. Sigma’s aim is to enable this kind of cutting-edge science by making innovative technologies available to scientists throughout the world,” stated David Smoller, Ph.D., President of Sigma-Aldrich’s Research Biotech Unit. “This work demonstrates the specificity and efficiency with which Sangamo’s ZFN technology platform can be used to correct and add DNA sequences into the genomes of living cells and is further proof of its power and broad applicability. The ZFN technology has potential applications in the rapid generation of both modified stem cells and somatic cell lines that can be used at multiple stages of disease research and drug development. We expect to have ZFN research reagents similar those used in this publication available to all research scientists in the very near future.”

SOURCE: Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.

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Designer mice

Daily Times – Site Edition	Wednesday, October 24, 2007

VIEW: Designer mice —Farrukh Saleem

  The leap from a mouse to a man is as big as the Atlantic. The future of medicine, however, belongs to the curing of devastating human illnesses with healthy genes. According to the Nobel Committee, “For the first time in history genetics has become an experimental science”

Three scientists who created ‘designer mice’ have won the 2007 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Mario Capecchi, 70, Martin Evans, 66, and Oliver Smithies, 82, gave us ‘designer mice’ and the Nobel Foundation awarded them the prestigious 10 million Swedish kronor ($1.54 million) Nobel Prize in Medicine.

‘Designer mice’ are genetically engineered mice in which one or more of their genes has been knocked-out in order to study the probable function of that gene. Capecchi, Evans and Smithies first made a particular gene inoperable and then monitored “resulting differences to infer the probable function of that gene (mouse and human genomes are almost identical).”

Bad genetic material is behind all cancers. Heart disease also has genetic origins. Diabetes sufferers also carry a mutated gene. Cystic fibrosis, in which the patient’s “lungs and digestive system face progressive disability” and early death, is also genetic. Muscular dystrophy, a multi-system disorder in which the patient’s heart, nervous system, endocrine glands, skin and eyes face progressive weakness, is also genetic. Alzheimer’s disease, a “degenerative brain disease with progressive memory loss, impaired thinking and disorientation”, has now been traced down to a set of four genes. Parkinson’s disease, a “degenerative disorder of the central nervous system”, is at least partly because of genetic mutation. Arthritis is genetic, so is baldness, and even obesity is said to have a genetic orientation. All in all, bad genetic material is the cause of some 4,000 diseases.

They are showing the world how genes work in mammals and are also leading the way in the removal of bad genes allowing scientists to study how the loss of a gene affects the body and the brain. Designer mice are ushering in “new therapies to correct human genetic defects…therapies that will build on gene modifications in mice that are based on the discoveries of Capecchi, Evans and Smithies.”

Scientists at the University of California (Los Angeles) have now successfully inserted genes into the human brain, a potential for treating Parkinson’s disease. Last year, researchers at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland successfully treated cancer (metastatic melanoma) in two patients by retargeting genes to attack their own cancer cells.

Parker DesLauriers has big, bright blue eyes and chubby cheeks always full of giggles. At six weeks old, Parker was diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). SCID is a severe genetic disorder in which the patient is extremely vulnerable to every passing virus and infection; average life expectancy at birth of less than a year. Parker could have died from recurrent common cold, chronic diarrhea or pneumonia. Thanks to ‘designer mice’, Parker is receiving genetically altered stem cells enabling Parker to fight disease. Parker is now two years old.

Currently, 300 to 400 gene-therapy trials are being conducted worldwide. At least half of those trials involve cancer. Experts say that cancer “gene therapies could gain broad use over the next five to ten years” while “genetic therapies for other diseases may be one to two decades into the future.” The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has genetically engineered an AIDS virus to fight other AIDS viruses. Baylor College of Medicine in Houston has developed a gene therapy that has successfully cured diabetes in mice.

Admittedly, the leap from a mouse to a man is as big as the Atlantic. The future of medicine, however, belongs to the curing of devastating human illnesses with healthy genes. According to the Nobel Committee, “For the first time in history genetics has become an experimental science.”

Thanks to the creators of ‘designer mice’.

Dr Farrukh Saleem is an Islamabad-based economist and analyst

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Fundraiser helps family pay for son’s medical bills

Victoria Macchi – Daily News Correspondent

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Local volunteers inched closer to their goal of raising $250,000 for Adam Saada with a fundraiser on Sunday afternoon.

A picnic and silent auction at Gina’s Café in East Naples added to the $60,000 donated since Adam of Naples, now 6 months old, was diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency in August, a condition that makes him extremely vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Although Adam received his mother’s bone marrow in September to help rebuild his immune system, doctors will not know for several months if the transplant was successful. The baby recently developed a rash as a result of the procedure, worrying the family.

“The doctors are controlling it. It’s not bad at the moment,” said his father, Hussam Saada, at Sunday’s event that dozens attended.

Costs are mounting, however, as Adam’s hospital stay lengthens. Medical bills are only part of the problem; Hussam’s wife, Amy, stays with the baby fulltime as he undergoes treatment at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, adding to the financial strain because they’re now a one-income family.

Hussam estimates the expenses total $500,000 to date.

Insurance, he says, “are covering a percentage, but the expenses are so high, even with the parts of the insurance it’s not enough.” Help from friends and strangers makes a big dent in what the family owes.

“You see how the community can be really supportive and help people out. When somebody has a hard time, they come help you out,” says Hussam.

The couple’s oldest son, Andrew, 6, is feeling the strain.

“Sometimes he misses the family,” says Hussam. “We’re not a like a family anymore.”

With Andrew staying with Amy’s parents, and Amy in Miami constantly, “the whole family’s been separated,” he adds.

Hussam joins his wife in Miami three to four times a week, often leaving right after work and returning late at night or early in the morning. He can’t afford to take a leave of absence from Wachovia Bank branch on Pine Ridge Road in Naples, where he works.

For the owners of Gina’s Café, 11000 Commercial Blvd., the story resonated deeply within their family.

Nico, the grandson of one owner and nephew of another, was born prematurely and weighed only 2 pounds, 3 ounces. His mother spent five months shuttling between Naples and Miami, where Nico was also treated at Jackson Memorial.

“My grandson was in the hospital for all those months, I know the stress on the family… so we decided to do something here for them,” said Dolores Constantino, Nico’s grandmother and co-owner of Gina’s. The restaurant donated some of the food and the location to the event.

“A lot of things people don’t realize is the hardship on a family when things like this happen,” says Sharon Ardrey, who organized the event.

Ardrey and her husband Barry are regulars at Gina’s, and friends of Adam’s family. Talking about it at the restaurant inspired the café’s owners and the Ardreys to set up the fundraiser. The money raised will go to Adam’s current and future medical bills.

“When this started, I just, I can’t believe… the heartache and what these guys are going through. Amy doesn’t want to leave the hospital,” says Adam’s great aunt, Sue Buck, who heads the fundraising team. The updates she receives every other day from Amy keep her motivated.

“I’m not going to stop until it’s done,” she says with conviction, adding that a shortage of volunteers to help bring in more money, however, slows down efforts.

Linda McKelvey, who attended Sunday’s event with her two children, summed up the feelings of family and friends attending Sunday’s event.

“It’s all for Adam.” To donate to Tax deductible donations can be sent to “COTA for Adam S.” at 2051 Cota Drive, Bloomington, Ind., 47403, or through http://cotaforadams.com. All proceeds will go to pay Adam’s medical expenses.

The next fundraiser will be a pasta dinner Dec. 7 at East Naples United Methodist Church.

—

Contact Victoria Macchi at Vmmacchi@gmail.com

© 2007 Bonita Daily News and The Banner. Published in Bonita Springs, Florida, USA by the E.W. Scripps Co.

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High Efficacy Of Bone Marrow Transplant For DiGeorge Syndrome

High Efficacy Of Bone Marrow Transplant For DiGeorge Syndrome

ScienceDaily (2007-10-20) — Researchers found that survival with bone marrow transplant was greater than 75 percent, similar to thymic transplantation, for treatment of complete DiGeorge syndrome. More than 20 years ago, doctors performed a successful bone marrow transplant on a baby girl who was born without a thymus gland and was suffering from severe immune deficiency. It marked the first time a bone marrow transplant, rather than a thymic transplant, had been used to treat the genetic condition known as DiGeorge Syndrome.

The doctors lost track of the young girl when her family moved away but were reunited with her when she returned to UCLA for heart treatment in 2005. Upon rechecking the young woman’s immune system, they were pleased to learn that she continued to do well.

Inspired by her positive long-term outcome — along with a handful of other DGS bone marrow transplant patients worldwide — UCLA researchers embarked on a study to follow up on the benefits of bone marrow transplant treatment.
Overall, the researchers found that survival with bone marrow transplant was greater than 75 percent, similar to thymic transplantation.

“We believe that this long-term follow-up study indicates that bone marrow transplant is a good procedure — and more readily available than thymic transplantation — for complete DiGeorge syndrome,” said co-author Dr. E. Richard Stiehm, professor of pediatrics in the division of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. “This also suggests that the thymus may not be necessary for immune development after birth, or that other tissues, such as the skin, may serve as a thymus equivalent.”

DiGeorge syndrome is a common genetic immunodeficiency that occurs in one out of every 2,000 people. The syndrome includes thymic and parathyroid deficiency, chromosome abnormalities, low calcium levels and decreased immunity. Patients often have heart problems and developmental delay, which bone marrow or thymic transplants do not correct. Only a few patients have the severely deficient immune systems characteristic of complete DGS, which is similar to severe combined immunodeficiency (also known as “bubble boy syndrome”) and is fatal if untreated.

In this first report of extended survival in patients with complete DGS who were treated with bone marrow transplant with long-lasting immune reconstitution, researchers described the medical history and current immune function of two DGS patients who received transplants more than two decades ago. Now in their 20s, both patients lead normal lives free of serious infections and have preserved immune function.

The study also reviewed nine additional cases from other centers internationally and assessed the current status of all patients but one.

The thymus produces hormones that stimulate the production of certain infection-fighting cells. It is also of central importance in the maturation of T-cells (thymic cells), which help build immunity.

According to Stiehm, the thymus gland is the “university” of the immune system.

“Stem cells must go there to be educated before entering the circulation to fight organisms,” he said. “The thymus continues to put out T-cells for a lifetime. It puts out naive T-cells that are then exposed to microbes to become memory T-cells. It was previously thought that the body needs a continuous supply of new naive cells to keep the immune system functioning, but now we think that maybe it’s not necessary, since the memory cells from the donor may serve for a lifetime.”

The significance is that adult memory cells from bone marrow, or peripheral blood, can persist in the circulation for several decades and keep the patient well, even though new naive T-cells from the thymus are not produced.

A bone marrow transplant works by replacing the patient’s marrow with healthy marrow from a matched donor. Ultimately, the new marrow helps the patient produce normal blood cells.

A thymic transplant is an effective but complicated procedure that involves transferring the thymus tissue of another infant undergoing heart surgery, culturing it, and then surgically implanting it in the patient. It then takes several months for the thymus gland to grow and allow the patient to develop a functioning immune system.

Thymus transplantation is available in the U.S. only at Duke University’s medical center. By contrast, bone marrow transplant is a standard procedure available at many large medical centers across the country and internationally.

Their findings are published in the October 2007 issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

In addition to Stiehm, study authors included Michael Henry Land, Maria Ines Garcia-Lloret, Michael S. Borzy, P. Nagesh Rao, Najib Aziz, Sean A. McGhee, Karin Chen and Jack Gorski. There are no financial disclosures to report.

Adapted from materials provided by University of California – Los Angeles.

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Bold and Beautiful’s SCID baby part 4

10/19/07

Nick: Taylor, honey, you know, you really shouldn’t be here.

Taylor: Oh, I know, I know, that whole anonymous, confidentiality thing.

Nick: Yeah.

Taylor: But obviously, that didn’t keep you away. And I mean, how could I not? This woman just saved our baby’s life. I just–I just want to go talk to her for just a minute. I just want to talk to her and meet her, okay? Come on.

Brooke: (Exhales deeply)

———————————————————————————————————–

Nick: Are you sure that you want to do this?

Taylor: Yeah, it’ll just take a minute. And then we can go see the baby.

Nick: No! Uh, no. Um, I-there he is right here. Th–th–they’re bringing the little guy out.

Taylor: Oh, he’s in recovery. Oh, my goodness. He looks beautiful. I want to go with him. I want to see him…

Nick: Okay, good, good.

Taylor: See him.

Nurse: We’re taking him to NICU now.

Nick: There he is. Okay, good, good. Look at him.

Taylor: Hi, baby. It’s Mommy. Ahh, Mommy loves you so much. Ahh, you’re so beautiful.

———————————————————————————————————–

Bridget: Well, we have every reason to hope that the — the baby’s immune system will correct.

Brooke: And when will we know that for certain?

Bridget: It usually takes a couple months. But there is no mistake that what you have done for Nick and Taylor’s baby is amazing. You’ve given him every chance to have a healthy, normal life.

Brooke: He is a beautiful baby boy. You know, I could almost see the resemblance.

Bridget: Mom, you can’t talk like that.

Brooke: Honey, I know. I know he’s not actually mine. But we both know the history that I have with Taylor, with Nick. And when he tells her that I’m the mother…

————————————————————————————————————–

Taylor: I think he looked so beautiful, and he looked so healthy. Everything’s gonna be just fine. But I do still want to meet the donor. I mean, you got to meet her. Is there some reason you don’t want me to?

Nick: Here we go.

Taylor: There is, isn’t there? Honey, what? What is it? What’s going on? Nick, wh–just tell me why you get to meet her and I can’t.

Nick: Can we just no– leave this rest for right now? It’s been a huge day. We should be grateful that our son is okay. C-can we–can we just let this lay?

Taylor: Meaning there is a reason? There’s a problem? What?

Nick: Let me help you into bed, honey. Come on.

Taylor: No. No, wait. No, please, just tell me what’s going on. When you met the donor, d-did you learn something about her? What is it? What’s going on?

Nick: (Exhales deeply) The woman in recovery– she’s not the donor we selected.

Nick: There was a mix-up at the hospital. We got her egg instead of our donor’s.

Taylor: What?

Nick: Now this is a shock, but what we need to focus on is the fact that our little boy is healthy and he’s okay. That’s what we need to focus on. That’s what we have to take from today.

Taylor: The–the egg donor we selected is not the biological mother of our child? So who is the woman in recovery?

——————————————————————————————————————–

Nick: I know this is a lot to process, but we have to be grateful that our baby got the marrow that he needed.

Taylor: But not from the donor we thought was the baby’s biological mother. So–uh– the woman in the recovery room– wh–wh– what–are you saying this is somebody we don’t even know anything about?

Nick: But she came to the hospital as soon as she knew our son was in trouble. She didn’t hesitate. She went through the entire difficult process of a bone marrow to save our child.

Taylor: (Exhales deeply)

Nick: But to answer your question — (Sighs) there was some confusion during the fertilization. (Sighs) and Bridget asked a lab tech for the Marone donation for in vitro, and instead she was given an egg dish labeled “Marone,” but it was earmarked for research. There wasn’t just one Mrs. Marone.

Taylor: Are you saying… Bridget?

Nick: No.

Taylor: Well, thank God. I mean, I love Bridget. It’s just that you two were married before, and I-I really can’t think of anything more awkward.

Taylor: So whose egg was implanted in me?

Taylor: Nick, whose egg was it?

Nick: It came from Brooke.

————————————————————————————————————————–

Taylor: I did not– I could not have just heard y–

Nick: You did.

Taylor: Brooke? Brooke? What are you talking about? The–the baby is from Brooke’s egg?

Nick: She’s the donor. That’s all. She’s just the donor.

Taylor: No! No! No!

Nick: (Sighs)

Taylor: I wanted a child, Nick– our child. But now what do I have? I have your child with Brooke?!

Nick: No. Taylor, you’re the mother. It’s–it’s yours. You’re the mother.

Taylor: (Sobbing) no! No! She’s–she’s ruined everything.

Nick: That’s not true. She–she–she didn’t know what was going– it’s not her fault.

Taylor: Don’t you dare defend her!

Nick: You–just listen to me.

Taylor: No, I’m not gonna listen to you. She’s–she’s stolen my child from me. She’s taken everything from me all my life. I mean–I mean, I just wanted a clean slate with–with you and–and me and our–our baby. And now it’s–it’s you and me and Brooke’s child. God!

Nick: No, it’s our child.

Taylor: Oh, is it? Is it?

Nick: Yes, yes, he is.

Taylor: Don’t you dare touch me. Don’t. I cannot believe this is happening. I can’t believe it. Oh, my God. (Sobbing) I’ve given birth to Brooke’s baby. I just can’t believe it. This can’t be happening. (Sobbing)

Brooke: Taylor?

Bold and Beautiful’s SCID baby, part 3

10/18/07 episode 

Nick: Something unexpected’s happened.

Brooke: Nick, what is it?

Bridget: Mom, the–the baby needs a bone marrow transplant, and nick’s been ruled out. So w-we have to use the biological mother– the same donor that we used in in vitro.

Brooke: Well, let’s find her.

Nick: We have.

Brooke: That’s wonderful. (Scoffs) I-I still don’t understand. What does this have to do with me?

————————————————————————————————————————

Bridget: Do you remember, um– do you remember coming in for your fertility testing?

Brooke: Of course I do, honey, but why in the world are we even talking about this?

Bridget: Just bear with me, mom, please. Please, let me explain.

Brooke: (Sighs) explain what?

Bridget: (Sighs) the day you came in to have your eggs– your eggs tested, wh–when you realized that you weren’t going to be using your eggs, do you remember the little speech that I-I gave you that day, the one that I said I give all my– my clinic patients?

Brooke: About?

Bridget: The one about designating the eggs that were harvested to research.

Brooke: Yes. You said a lot of the women in your class– the resident women– were doing the same thing. But I-I-I still don’t understand why we’re talking about this right now.

Bridget: (Sighs) okay, mom, your– your name was in the computer as brooke marone.

Brooke: No, I-I told them to change that.

Bridget: The–the donor that nick and taylor chose– her eggs were also labeled “marone.” Dr. Caron wasn’t in the day of the fertilization. I was. And so was the tech that was there the day that I was doing testing on you. And when I asked them to bring me the donation labeled “marone,” I-I guess the–the– I guess the tech thought that I…

Brooke: I was the donor?

Bridget: No one ever intended this, mom.

Brooke: Taylor’s baby is mine? (Exhales deeply)

—————————————————————————————————————

Brooke: The baby– I’m the biological mother?

Nick: Yes.

Brooke: The child that taylor has been carrying all this time and the child that I-I so desperately wanted to give you– and–and I did?

Bridget: Wait a second. Why didn’t I think of this before? Oh–oh my god. What–what about my bone marrow? Who’s closer to mom genetically than me? I’m sure I have the same recessive S.C.I.D.S gene that–that–that you do, mom. And I’m younger, so I’d recover faster. I can do this.

Nick: The mother’s the closest match, bridget. I don’t want to waste any time with this. We gotta test her as soon as possible. Will you do this, please?

Brooke: Oh, yes, of course. You don’t even have to ask.

Nick: (Whispers) thank you. I have asthma and my asthma symptoms…

Nick: You know, I’ve–I’ve tried to wake her.

Nurse: Dr. Caron prescribed a sedative. She got a little agitated after you left.

Nick: Well, how long do you think she’ll be out? I need to talk with her.

Nurse: Depends on how much she needs the rest.

Nick: Well, if she wakes up while I’m gone, would you– would you tell her everything’s okay?

Nurse: Mm-hmm.

Nick: Our son’s gonna have what he needs. (Whispers) thanks.

Nurse: (Whispers) okay.

Brooke: Is what you’re doing safe for the baby?

Dr. Caron: Well, we’ll have to treat the marrow first.

Bridget: Mom, it’s– it’s, um, an infusion, not an actual surgery.

Dr. Caron: Correct. It’s like a blood transfusion. It’s very low-risk.

Brooke: Oh.

Nick: Everything okay?

Brooke: Uh, yeah, everything’s fine. I was just gonna ask dr. Caron if–

Dr. Caron: Excuse me, uh, mr. Marone, you can’t be in here.

Nick: Doctor, I’ll set up housekeeping in the hallway if I so choose, because my lawyers could have me owning this place by the end of next week, along with your little red mercedes. Now you ask your question, brooke.

Brooke: Uh, okay. I was just wondering if I could be there when the baby was given my bone marrow.

Dr. Caron: No, I’m sorry. That’s not possible. It’s–it just isn’t done.

Nick: Well, it’ll be done tonight.

————————————————————————————————————————

Nick: Hey, pal.

Nick: God, you’re so beautiful. (Sobs) (sobbing) oh, take me. God, take everything I have. Just… just don’t take him. Don’t take him.

Nick: Don’t take him. (Sobs)

———————————————————————————————————————

Nick: How long is she gonna be out? It’s been a couple of hours.

Dr. Caron: That’s completely normal.

Nick: You said that it went well, right?

Dr. Caron: Very. In fact, I think this is what we’ve been waiting for. Okay. All right, let’s start the infusion.

Taylor: (Sighs)

Bridget: Hey.

Taylor: Mm. Where is nick?

Bridget: I’m, uh– I’m sure he’ll be right back.

Taylor: How did the surgery go?

Bridget: That could not have gone better. The baby’s probably getting the infusion right now.

Taylor: And the donor was a pretty close to perfect match?

Bridget: Um, yeah.

Taylor: How is she doing?

Bridget: Oh, uh, she’s fine. She’s in recovery.

Taylor: I just wish I could talk to her and thank her, because… (sniffles) she’s just done so much for us, and I-I know there’s the confidentiality clause, but–

Bridget: Right, yeah.

Taylor: I mean, does that mean I’ll really never get to meet her and thank her?

Bridget: Taylor… (sighs) nick’s gonna be back in just a minute, okay?

Taylor: Bridget? (Cell phone rings) (rings) (rings)

Brooke: (Weakly) hi.

Nick: Hi. You’re awake.

Brooke: Yeah, uh, I thought that was ringing in my ears.

Nick: (Laughs)

Brooke: How’d I do?

Nick: Perfect. You did perfect.

Brooke: (Sighs) yeah? (Cell phone rings)

Nick: Oh.

Brooke: Oh, here, I-I can take that. (Rings)

Nick: You’re sure?

Brooke: Yeah.

Nick: There you go.

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Nick: Yeah.

Brooke: Oh, nick.

Nick: Hey. Hey. Hey. You shouldn’t– you shouldn’t get up. It’s too soon yet.

Brooke: Well, can’t I see him?

Nick: Are you sure you want to?

Brooke: Yeah, I’m sure.

Nick: There he is.

Brooke: Oh.

Brooke: He’s so tiny.

Nick: Yeah, isn’t he?

Brooke: (Gasps) he’s beautiful.

Nick: I know. You see this? This is life flowing into him, life that you’ve given to him again.

Brooke: It’s our baby. It’s amazing.

Nick: Brooke, this whole–just–

Brooke: Nick, I am really happy that I could do this for you. But taylor carried him, and you’re his father. And you’re gonna have a wonderful life together, just like ridge and me. But for a few minutes, it doesn’t hurt to be proud parents, right? I mean, what’s the harm in that?

Nick: No harm at all.

Baby: (Cries)

Nick: You’ve blessed my life in so many ways.

Baby: (Crying)

Nick: Thank you for our son.

Taylor: Nick?

Brooke: (Gasps)

Taylor: Nick? Nick.

Nick: Hey.

Taylor: Hi.

Nick: What are you doing out of bed?

Taylor: Oh, there she is. That’s the donor? You wanted to me her, too, didn’t you? I-I just want to go thank her.

Nick: Are you sure?

Taylo well, that’s– that’s our angel of mercy. I mean, I-I just– I want to thank her. I mean, she just did something so selfless. I-I want to– I want to tell her that that means a lot to me, and I-I want to tell her how much it’ll mean to me to– to be able to raise this baby.

Bold and Beautiful’s SCID baby, part 2

10/17/07 episode 

Nick: Honey, the woman donated her eggs. If–if she’s that charitable so that a couple she doesn’t even know can have a child, I don’t know why she wouldn’t do this.

Taylor: (Scoffs) donating bone marrow is no picnic.

Nick: It may turn out we don’t even need her. Now they’re testing me. They’re running it right now. Chances are, I’ll be the donor. No problem. (Door opens)

Man: I don’t mean to interrupt.

Nick: You got word from the lab?

Man: That’s why I’m here.

Nick: Did I get a green light?

Man: Mr. Marone, uh, I’m afraid we can’t use your marrow.

Taylor: Why not?

Nick: I’m one of the parents. Shouldn’t I be some sort of a match, a half-match, whatever you want to call it?

Man: Unfortunately, your blood work reveals that you have C.M.V.– Cytomegalovirus. It’s something many people carry without even realizing it. It’s not active. It’s not dangerous to you, but to a newborn with no immune system… I’m so sorry to give you this news.

Taylor: So the– the egg donor is our only hope? (Sobbing) what if she doesn’t want to? I haven’t even gotten to hold the baby.

Nick: Sweetie–

Taylor: I want to go see the baby! He could die. He could die, nick.

Taylor: No, I don’t want to talk to you!

Nick: Hey. Hey. Hey. Sit down. Shh. Okay.

Taylor: I want to see to see dr. Caron. I don’t want him in here! I want to see dr. Caron! There’s something else they can do. There’s something else they can do.

Nick: Calm down.

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Taylor: What if she doesn’t want to help us? What if she doesn’t care if our baby is sick?

Nick: Calm down.

Nurse: Just lie back, mrs. Marone, please. Shh.

Taylor: No, she’s already done her part.

Nick: Shh. Okay, calm down.

Taylor: What if she’s moved? What if we can’t find her?

Nick: I will get all of the answers we need, okay?

Woman: Are you mr. Marone?

Nick: Yes.

Woman: Dr. Caron sent me.

Nick: Did you get ahold of the donor?

Woman: Yes. She’s agreed to help.

Nick: Did you hear that?

Taylor: Thank god!

Nick: Is she local?

Woman: Dr. Caron’s on the phone with her now. She’s–

Nick: Okay, will you please fill my wife in on the details? Thank you. I’ll be back.

Taylor: You’re leaving?

Nick: I just to make sure everything runs smoothly. Will you look after her? Thank you.

Taylor: Nick. Nick…

Nick: The quickest way to the fertility lab?

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Taylor: So the donor’s an intern? Here?

Dr. Caron: Yeah. She’s on her way to the lab now so they can verify that she can be a donor.

Taylor: Well, can I talk to her? I would really like to meet her. I-I just want to thank her.

Dr. Caron: That might not be possible, taylor. You all agreed to confidentiality. She might want to remain anonymous.

Taylor: (Sighs)

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Nick: I need an answer, bridget. Is your mother the donor, or not?

Bridget: I’m so sorry, nick. The egg came from my mother.

Bridget: The test I ran just confirmed it.

Nick: There’s no chance of a mistake? None?

Nick: How did this happen? What am I gonna tell taylor?

Bridget: Nick, please, listen to me. Taylor just had a baby. She’s in no condition to try to wrap her mind around this.

Nick: Yeah. (Sighs) well, now that we know the truth, we need to get your mother over here as soon as possible.

Bridget: My mother? Why now? No, nick.

Nick: My son has S.C.I.D.S, and he needs a bone marrow transplant immediately, or he could die.

Bridget: Oh, god.

Nick: I need your mother now.

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Nick: Bridget, wait, wait. Before you call your mother, you should know that caron got ahold of the woman that we thought donated the egg, and she agreed to help.

Bridget: Well, only it won’t help. She’s not the biological mother. He needs marrow harvested from one of his parents. I’ll track down dr. Caron, and I’ll call mom on the way.

Nick: Hurry, will ya?

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Brooke: Okay. (Exhales deeply) hello?

Bridget: Oh, mom, I’m so glad that you’re there.

Brooke: Bridget, what’s going on?

Bridget: I’m–I’m at the hospital. I need you to come down here right away alone.

Brooke: Why? What’s this about?

Bridget: I’ll explain when you get here. Just meet on the fourth floor. And please, mom, I-I need you. It’s nothing to worry about, but I need you right away.

Brooke: Okay, yes, yes. I’m on my way. (Sighs) gotta get to the hospital. Something’s going on with bridget. She needs me.

Ridge: When thomas called, he said everything was fine.

Brooke: I don’t think it has anything to do with taylor or the baby. S-s-something else is going on. It sounded urgent.

Ridge: You want me to drive you?

Brooke: No, no, that’s okay. You stay here… (sighs) and don’t you dare leave. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

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Taylor: Can I at least see the baby?

Nurse: He’s in isolation now being prepped for the transplant.

Taylor: Where is my husband? He’s been gone a long time. He should be back here by now. Or is there something going on I don’t know about?

Nurse: Mrs. Marone…

Taylor: Is there something you’re not telling me?

Nurse: You’re exhausted.

Taylor: No! Answer my question. I don’t need this.

Nurse: You know everything I know. That’s a promise.

Taylor: No.

Nurse: These procedures take time. We won’t have answers for hours yet. Everything that can be done for your child is being done.

Taylor: (Sighs)

Nurse: Why don’t I ask the doctor if there’s something she can give you to help you relax a bit?

Taylor: (Sighs)

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Brooke: Hi, excuse me, have you seen bridget?

Woman: Bridget forrester?

Brooke: You don’t– you don’t know where she is? Oh, just– hi.

Nick: Hi.

Brooke: Bridget called me.

Doctor: Coming through.

Brooke: She said it was important. It is your baby?

Nick: Over here. We’re meeting her over here. Come here.

Brooke: (Sighs) nick, please tell me, is it your child? I-I-I mean, I know there was a rough delivery, but has there been a complication?

Nick: Uh, yeah. Something’s happened. There’s something about my boy– something you need to know.

Bridget: Hey. I was able to stop things. They were still running some tests. But I apprised dr. Caron of the situation, and her team is standing by.

Brooke: (Scoffs) will one of you please tell me what’s going on here?

Bridget: Oh. (Sighs) nick’s baby was born with a genetic defect. It’s called S.C.I.D.S– severe combined immunodeficiency.

Brooke: Immunodeficiency?

Bridget: Um, yeah, it’s–it’s where the baby is born with virtually no immune system. And if he, um, gets a cold or a little bug, he could die.

Brooke: Oh, my god. I’m so sorry. (Sighs) is there anything that–that can be done? Is–is there a cure?

Bridget: We can treat it with a bone marrow transplant. It has to be from one of the biological parents.

Brooke: Well, that’s good news, right?

Nick: It’s very good news.

Brooke: Okay. (Laughs nervously) I’m kind of confused. Shouldn’t you be with the donor mother right now? What does this have to do with me?

Nick: It has everything to do with you, brooke, everything.

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